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Free Electricity for Farmers

Based on a contract signed with the agriculture sector, on condition that farmers do not use electricity to run water pumps during the peak hours (12 to 4 p.m.), they will be granted free electricity during the day, IRNA quoted Hamid Chitchian, the energy minister, as saying on Wednesday.

According to the official, the contract will help reduce power consumption during the periods of peak demand, resulting in prevention of power cuts.

Referring to the historic 50,200-megawatt electricity peak last Saturday, the minister said, "It is likely that the record is broken once more as scorching hot summer days approach, leading to electricity outages."

Iran’s electricity industry ranks 14th in the world and first in the Middle East in terms of electricity generation with an installed power generation capacity of 72,000 MW.

Calling for judicious consumption, the minister said, "Iran is grappling with a serious water shortage. Nonetheless, we are doing our best so that water is not rationed."